The 2015 Chittenden County H.S. girls soccer preview

Burlington's Noe Musman (2) leaps to head the ball in front of the net during the girls playoff soccer game between the U-32 Raiders and the Burlington Sea Horses at Buck Hard Field in 2014.(Photo11: Free Press file)Buy Photo

•Outlook: The Seahorses, Division I runners-up a year ago, bring back a dozen players but should sport a new look from the start without the likes of Gatorade player of the year Madison Feeney. "I think we're a different group than we were last year," Hayes said. "We don't have those one or two superstars, we're more dynamic, well-rounded — kids are working hard." Mitchell is in her third year between the posts, backing an experienced defense that includes Noonan, Moran and McKegney. Abigail Feeney starts in midfield for the third year in a row, linking that unit with talented sophomores such as Vachereau, Hindes and Dunn.

•Outlook: What the four-time defending Division I champion Redhawks lost in experience — fixtures like Free Press player of the year Paige DuBrul, Mackenzie Buckman and Audrey Allegretta — they may have gained in depth, speed and flexibility, according to Williams. Much of the squad's spine returns with Keen and Weimer in central defense, Gagliuso and Cazayoux in central midfield and Morton at forward. After the graduation of Maddie Turnau, Flore assumes the No. 1 job in net for a defense that's yielded four goals in the past two seasons.

•Opener: Wednesday at Mount Abraham

COLCHESTER

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Colchester's Autumn Hathaway, left, attempts a shot against Champlain Valley during the second half of Tuesday's girls soccer playoff game in Hinesburg.(Photo11: Free Press file)

•Outlook: After a run to the semifinals last fall, the young and dynamic Lakers appear poised to continue that trajectory with key pieces returning across the field. Free Press first-teamer Brenna McMannon remains Colchester's midfield engine while Whitham, Johnson and Sicard are back to lead the defense. "Our core is back and we're welcoming back some seriously talented freshmen and sophomores," Paul said. "It's an exciting time for us and there's a lot of potential for us, there's no question about that."

•Opener: Wednesday at Harwood

ESSEX

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Essex's Megan Macfarlane (20) controls the ball during the girls soccer game between the Essex Hornets and the Rice Green Knights at Rice High School on Wednesday afternoon in 2014.(Photo11: Free Press file)

•Outlook: With a senior-heavy roster — the Hornets have 13, along with 14 returning varsity players — Essex could be ripe for an ambitious finish to the fall. "With the group of seniors I'm hoping there's motivation there to take charge and make a statement," O'Neil said. "There's nothing easy here. It's going to be a very competitive league." The midfield, led by the likes of Poratti and Macfarlane, has already gotten a boost via the rookie Poulin, while the attack saw six players score in the season-opening 6-1 win over Mount Anthony.

•Outlook: Not only does Milton bring back its top two scorers in Dabagian and Brodhead — the team lost a single goal to graduation — the duo are entering their fourth season with the varsity. Payson has a versatile squad at his disposal, and one that will be tested with a beefed up schedule that includes nine games against Division I teams and two with reigning D-II champion Mount Abraham. "This team is really looking to pass, get everybody involved, attacking from the back," Payson said. "It's really nice to see the teamwork, a little further ahead of teams in the past."

•Opener: Wednesday vs. South Burlington

MOUNT MANSFIELD

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MMU's Molly Finn (5) and Rice's Katrina Garrow (14) battle for the ball during the girls soccer playoff game between the Rice Green Knights and the Mount Mansfield Cougars in 2014.(Photo11: Free Press file)

•Outlook: The Cougars didn't just host their first playoff game since 2010 last fall, they won it in a penalty-kick shootout and then upset top-seeded Burr and Burton on the road — a run that built excitement for the 2015 season. "I think the girls really are feeling that momentum they created for themselves last year," Barker said. "Making the semifinals has given them a lot of focus and energy going into preseason." Eleven players return, including Parent in net, Rand, Daniel and Frederick on the backline, and influential playmakers Finn, York, Tynion and Pelland.

•Opener: Wednesday vs. North Country

RICE

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Rice's Margot Rathke (19) runs with the ball past MMU's Amelia Knakal (2) during the girls soccer playoff game between the Rice Green Knights and the Mount Mansfield Cougars at MMU in 2014.(Photo11: Free Press file)

•Outlook: Graduating stalwarts like Riley Mitiguy, the Lake Division's offensive player of the year, and netminder Macie Sicard leave big shoes to fill. But the Green Knights return experience in the heart of midfield with Rathke, Schibili and Haley Mitiguy. Newcomers McKeown and Hannah Miller, meanwhile, must assume leading roles in defense. "The biggest challenge will be incorporating the new kids into the dynamics of the team and pick up where we left off last year," Burke said. "The kids really seem to be working into that."

•Outlook: Among the first tasks for Cole has been building a solid defensive foundation to avoid some of the narrow losses that have cost the Rebels the last few years — and the early returns have been promising. "I'm happy with how it's going so far," Cole said. "I've started out working on defensive shape, keeping organized when we don't have the ball." Nash-Gibney and Peyko enter their third year with the squad and are influential on the ball, and Nielsen has impressed as a high-energy defensive presence. Nevin has added a "rocket of a shot" while carving out a spot on the flanks and Burt has stepped up for the No. 1 goalkeeping position.

•Outlook: The addition of nine freshmen — the bulk of nearly 15 newcomers to the program — has swelled the Spartans' ranks to 31 players. That number, compared to a roster of 11 three years, is reason enough for excitement. "There's a lot of energy," Prescott said. "We are optimistic about the season." Winooski also got a boost in preseason from BFA-Fairfax, Colchester and the Nordic Soccer Club, which helped provide cleats for several players.